First day on the water

[JohnKorte]

First day of the season for us and boy what a day! Long story short, 4-5 miles out traveling about 30 mpg the boat went slipped out of gear and then it overheated. There was no water pushing through the hoses. After letting the engine cool down, started up and it would not go into gear. the lever would go forward but nothing would engage. I was able to make a call after traveling back a little ways with the trolling motor to get towed back in. First thought what to look for??
Mercruiser v-6 with Aplha one.
Thanks for you help in advance.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Is there oil in the outdrive, service history of outdrive
Quick test:WITH THE IGNITION KEY IN YOUR POCKET shift into fwd gear, have someone watch the shaft where it goes into the motor/
Stand on a prop blade and try to move the prop CCW
Shaft moves= bad coupler
Shaft does not move= outdrive damage

 

[nola mike]

Or put the key in the ignition, and look at the same spot with the engine running (if you're in the water--may not have enough resistance out of the water). Also pull the top cap on the outdrive. It will be obvious if you've shaved your gears.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

My guess is the vertical shaft in the lower unit sheared at the top.

 

[nola mike]

Regardless of the cause, not good. You're looking at pulling the motor to replace the coupler, or getting a new outdrive.

 

[harleyman1975]

Yep I'm thinking coupler or top gears. Was there a burning rubber smell? if so that would be coupler.

 

[Bt Doctur]

You would know if you do the test in post #2

 

[JohnKorte]

Ok thanks for all the advice I will check it out Sat. afternoon. and post what I find.

 

[JohnKorte]

Well BT Doctur it is the engine coupler. even before doing the test I could see rubber pieces all around it. I have already have the engine ready to pull and I will have the drive removed shortly. Question-- I replaced gimbal bearing,seals,bellows,u-joints,shift cable... 2 years ago. Is it necessary to replace bell housing rubber seal,gasket,o-rings on drive shaft? Also I bought this boat used a couple years ago and they had put a remanufactired engine in, even though I used a alignment tool when I replaced the gimbal bearing, I am concerned now if it was possible to align everything up if the engine was tilted down to the back a little? How do I check or how do I make sure the engine is at the correct angle to begin with when i reinstall it? Another thing now that I will have the engine pulled is there anything I should be looking for? Anything I should service/replace while it is out?

 

[JohnKorte]

Almost forgot to mention. When I drained the lower unit I had a fair amount of metal shavings on the magnetic plug?